The Carolina Panthers have made a significant move, benching former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton.
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Panthers make a 180 regarding Bryce Young
The decision, confirmed by head coach Dave Canales on Monday, comes after the Panthers’ offense has struggled mightily, scoring just 13 points in their past four games, dating back to the 2023 season.
“Andy gives us our best chance moving forward,”Canales explained, noting that Young will serve as Dalton’s backup when the Panthers face the Las Vegas Raiders this weekend.
The decision was made following a series of discussions between Canales, general manager Dan Morgan, and executive vice president Brandt Tilis.
Young’s struggles have been a central point of concern for Carolina.
The 23-year-old quarterback had a particularly difficult outing in Sunday’s 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, throwing for just 84 yards-one of the lowest totals in team history for a quarterback with at least 25 pass attempts.
Young has also become the third player in the past two decades to average fewer than four yards per dropback in four consecutive starts.
In two games this season, he has thrown three interceptions and no touchdowns.
Andy Dalton’s tough assignment with Carolina
The shift in the Panthers’ starting quarterback came as a surprise to many.
After Sunday’s loss, Canales initially expressed confidence in Young, stating that the former Alabama star would start against the Raiders.
However, a closer review of game film changed those plans.
“This is something after I watched the film,”Canales explained.
“I looked at it, had a thought and started on talking to the guys that we make decisions with. Certainly a lot of parties involved there, and ultimately this comes on me. My No. 1 responsibility is to help the Panthers win and so this move puts us in the best chance to do that.”
The Panthers are off to an 0-2 start for the second consecutive season and have been outscored 72-13 in their first two games.
Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has struggled to find his footing in the NFL.
His 8.9 QBR is currently the lowest among quarterbacks this season, and his win-loss record as a starter stands at 2-16.
Dalton, 36, offers the Panthers experience and stability at the position, at least in the short term.
Dalton has been in this role before.
He started for the Panthers in Week 3 of the 2023 season while Young was sidelined with an ankle injury, throwing for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a loss.
Dalton has a career record of 83-78-2 as a starter, with 246 touchdown passes and 144 interceptions since entering the league in 2011.
The upcoming game against the Raiders will mark Dalton’s 164th career start.
His leadership and ability to guide the offense will be crucial as the Panthers seek their first win of the season.
Should Dalton perform well, he could remain the starter when Carolina faces his former team, the Cincinnati Bengals, in the following week.
